A glimmer of hope for children with cancer at Kawempe Home Care

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On March 1, 2025, the Lions Club of Kampala East visited the Kawempe Home Care Centre in Kanyanya, where they spent time with children currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

The centre, specifically the New Hope Children’s Hostel, is a beacon of hope for these children, offering them shelter, food, psychosocial support, and transport to the Uganda Cancer Institute for their treatment.

The centre provides essential services to children from across Uganda, many of whom come from distant regions, far from the capital, Kampala.

Children at Kawempe Home Care taking soda and snacks brought for them by Lion Club Kampala East. (Photo by Dallen Namugga)

Once diagnosed with cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute, these children are referred to Kawempe Home Care, which accommodates them during their treatment periods.

The organisation provides a crucial service to these families, especially considering the ongoing crisis at Mulago Hospital, where space is often limited.

Sarah Komugisha, the programs manager at Kawempe Home Care, pointed out the difficulties the centre faces.

"Many of these children come from poor families, and the burden of travel and accommodation for frequent medical appointments is simply too much for them to bear. Without our services, they would not be able to continue their treatment," she said.

The challenges are compounded by the hostel’s small capacity. With only 30 beds available, the centre is often forced to squeeze in more children, as the need for the services far outstrips the available space.

Currently, the facility is home to 34 children. Komugisha further explained that when a child is given a two-month treatment appointment, they are sent home to make space for others.

However, returning to the hostel can be a financial burden, as some of the children do not have the means to afford transport.

In some cases, the centre steps in to help by sending transport money to these families to ensure the children can make it back to the hostel for their scheduled appointments.

But despite these efforts, the future of the facility is uncertain. The property housing the New Hope Children’s Hostel is up for sale.

The landlord has given the centre a deadline to purchase the building by the end of April 2025. With only sh165m raised so far, there is still a shortfall of sh105m.

Komugisha and the team have launched a fundraising campaign, calling on the public to assist in securing the building for the children.

“The threat of losing the building came shortly after the passing of our former executive director, who died of colon cancer. It was a heavy time for the team,” Komugisha shared, reflecting on the emotional toll the situation has had on the organisation.

“We cannot afford to lose the hostel, not after everything these children have been through. We are committed to raising the funds to secure this home for them,” she added.

Financial challenges

The executive director of the home, Gereva Niwagaba, also spoke passionately about the centre's mission and the difficulties they face in ensuring that every child receives the care they need.

"The cost of cancer treatment is astronomical," he said, adding, "A single dose of chemotherapy costs around one million shillings. For families already struggling with poverty, paying for such treatments is almost impossible. That’s where we come in, providing not only accommodation but also vital support in terms of food, transport, and even medicines that may not be available at the hospital."

The Lions Club of Kampala East, who visited the facility, expressed deep concern about the situation and pledged to continue supporting the children.

The club donated essential items, including mattresses, food, and beverages, which are crucial for the daily running of the hostel.

Harriet Kyomugisha, the services chairperson at the Lions Club, explained their decision to support the centre.

“We were moved after learning about the difficulties the children face here. The care they receive is life-saving, but the costs are a huge burden for both the organisation and the families of the children. Our goal is to help provide some relief, whether it be through donations or raising awareness,” Kyomugisha said.

Early cancer detection key

During the visit, Kyomugisha also highlighted the importance of early detection in the fight against childhood cancer.

“Early diagnosis is critical. If cancer is detected in its early stages, it can often be treated successfully. The government must do more to educate communities, especially in rural areas, about the signs of cancer. This would make a huge difference in saving lives,” she stated.

Transport was another challenge brought up during the visit. Many of the children’s families struggle to afford the journey to Kampala for treatment, leaving the children in limbo when it’s time to return to the hostel.

"If we could get more support for transport, we could ease the burden on these families," Niwagaba suggested.

Ivan Sendege, vice president of the club, also highlighted the pressing need for both financial and material support to continue the work that Kawempe Home Care is doing.

“With the deadline to purchase the property around the corner, we remain hopeful that the generosity of the public and well-wishers will allow them to secure a future for these vulnerable children,” Sendege said.

To him, there is a profound sense of determination among the staff and the community supporting Kawempe Home Care. As the fundraising efforts continue, the centre's mission to provide a safe and caring environment for children with cancer stands as a testament to the resilience and compassion of the people working behind the scenes.

In the words of Komugisha, “We cannot give up now. These children need us, and we must continue to fight for them.”